Individuals whose anger destroys their relationships, couples trapped in cycles of arguments and emotional distance, and families struggling with behavioral challenges that traditional approaches haven’t resolved – may need more than generic therapy to break destructive patterns and create lasting change. Robert Nay has spent over 30 years mastering Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy applications for anger management and relationship issues, becoming one of the most respected experts in helping people replace destructive responses with constructive behavior through evidence-based interventions.
As Clinical Associate Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine and author of the acclaimed Taking Charge of Anger and The Anger Management Workbook (both published by Guilford Press), Dr. Nay brings exceptional academic credentials combined with real-world clinical expertise. His successful two-week training tour across five major Australian cities and recognition by Library Journal as a featured expert in anger management demonstrate his international reputation for translating complex psychological concepts into immediately applicable strategies. Having trained over 20,000 mental health professionals worldwide, he represents the gold standard in CBT approaches to anger and relationship issues.
Dr. Nay’s expertise spans Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, anger management, anxiety disorders, depression, couples therapy, family therapy, child and adolescent psychology, ADHD, and what he calls helping clients “take control of their lives and relationships.” His approach recognises that anger problems rarely exist in isolation – they typically reflect deeper issues with emotional regulation, communication skills, and relationship dynamics that require comprehensive intervention. He specialises in working with individuals whose anger has damaged important relationships, couples caught in destructive communication patterns, and families where behavioral issues are creating ongoing conflict.
What sets his training apart is academic rigor combined with practical application. Nay doesn’t just teach anger management techniques – he shows practitioners how to help clients understand the cognitive and behavioral chains that lead to destructive responses, then develop alternative patterns that actually work under pressure. His development of the STOP method demonstrates his ability to create memorable, actionable frameworks that clients can use in real-world situations.
For your practice, expect to gain specific CBT protocols for anger management, tools for working with high-conflict couples, and frameworks for helping families break destructive behavioral cycles. His approach particularly benefits clinicians working with anger issues, those treating relationship conflicts, or practitioners wanting to develop expertise in evidence-based CBT interventions for emotional and behavioural problems.
Quick Win: Dr. Nay’s STOP method (Stop what you’re doing, Take a breath, Observe your thoughts and feelings, Proceed mindfully) helps clients interrupt anger responses – helping to prevent relationship damage while building the foundation for longer-term emotional regulation skills.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Georgia, 1972
- M.S., Clinical Psychology, University of Georgia, 1972
- B.A., Psychology, Eckerd College, 1967
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Virginia and Maryland
- Over 30 years clinical experience
Authored Books
- Taking Charge of Anger: Six Steps to Asserting Yourself without Losing Control (2012, Second Edition)
- The Anger Management Workbook: Use the STOP Method to Replace Destructive Responses with Constructive Behavior (2014)
- Overcoming Anger in Your Relationship: How to Break the Cycle of Arguments, Put-Downs, and Stony Silences (2010)
- Behavioral Intervention: Contemporary Strategies (professional textbook)
- Multimethod Clinical Assessment (professional textbook)
Academic & Professional Experience
- Clinical Associate Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, McLean, VA & Annapolis, MD
- Owner, McLean Psychological Practice, McLean, VA
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1975–1980
- Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Associate Editor, Behavior Therapy journal
Clinical Specialties
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anger management
- Couples therapy and relationship conflict resolution
- Family therapy and behavioral interventions
- Child and adolescent psychology and ADHD treatment
- Anxiety disorders and depression treatment
- Impulse control disorders and domestic abuse issues
- Parenting consultation and family dynamics
Ready to help clients break free from destructive anger patterns and create healthier relationships? Discover how Dr. Nay’s evidence-based CBT methods can give you the specific tools needed to help individuals, couples, and families replace destructive responses with constructive behavior that builds rather than destroys connection.